If you buy a new computer or laptop for work purposes, you can deduct the costs in your tax return. Here's how it works—and how the Taxfix app makes it easy.
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You can deduct computers and accessories if used for work.
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If you use the device at least 90% for work, you can deduct the full amount.
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Since 2021, full costs can be deducted in the year of purchase.
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The Taxfix app helps calculate what you can deduct.
🚀 Your Guide
Work-Related Use as a Requirement
If you use your computer or laptop for your job, it counts as a work tool. You can then deduct the purchase costs as income-related expenses in your tax return. Examples of work-related use:
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Writing professional emails
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Job-related research
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Creating job applications
You can also deduct accessories like:
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Mouse, keyboard, monitor
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USB sticks, cables
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Printer paper, cartridges
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Software
Deduct Full or Partial Costs?
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Full deduction: Only if the device is used almost exclusively for work (at least 90%).
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Partial deduction: For shared use (e.g., 50% work, 50% private).
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No deduction: If you use it for work less than 10%.
How to Prove Work Use
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Usage log: Note the date, time, and purpose for 3 months.
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Estimation: A list of work tasks is often sufficient.
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50:50 rule: If exact use can’t be proven, the tax office often accepts 50%. But you must still provide a work-related justification.
Depreciation Rules Until 2020
Before 2021, expensive computers had to be depreciated over 3 years if their price exceeded certain thresholds:
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Before 2018: max. €487.90 (gross)
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From 2018: max. €952 (gross)
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In 2020: max. €1,190 (gross)
If the price was above the limit, you had to spread the cost over 3 years. Example:
Computer bought for €1,008 in March 2018:
Usage period: 36 months
Monthly deduction: €28
Annual deductions:
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2018 (10 months): €280
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2019: €336
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2020: €336
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2021 (2 months): €56
Total: €1,008
New Instant Deduction from 2021
From 2021 on, you can deduct the full amount in the year of purchase. This applies to all computers bought in 2021 or later. Even remaining values of older purchases can be deducted in 2021.
Examples:
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Computer for €1,500 (100% work use): €1,500 deductible
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50% work use: €750 deductible
Keep Your Receipts
You don’t need to send receipts with your tax return. Just keep them in case the tax office asks for them.
Entering Costs in the Taxfix App
The app guides you step by step and calculates whether depreciation is needed.
Here’s how:
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Select the “Work” category.
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Answer “Yes” to the question about electronic work-related devices.
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Choose “Computer/Laptop.”
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Enter the purchase price and purchase date.
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Select the percentage of work use (e.g., 50%).
The app automatically calculates:
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Whether full deduction is possible,
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Or if depreciation is required.
🚀 Fill out the simple question-answer flow - we'll take care of the rest!
Still have questions?
We're here to help! Contact our support team: support@taxfix.de